Though highly visible just off Interstate 81, Bingham's Restaurant in Lenox Twp. got a lot more visible with a visit from President Barack Obama bringing the type of exposure a business can only dream of.

In addition to front-page newspaper coverage, the restaurant received national exposure on ABC News, USA Today and other national media, which answered the obvious question of what the president ordered.

It's a question Bingham's staff has been answering often in the week following the visit. For the record, the president picked three pies: coconut cream, cherry crumb and pecan.

Some people discovered the restaurant as a result of the visit. Assistant Manager Vince Scarpetta enjoys talking about the Secret Service sweep and shows off pictures. But the place hasn't been swamped.

"Our regular customers have been asking about it," he said. "I'm sure it helped business on some level, and the bakery is very busy."

The impact may be subtle and more long term, as people who find themselves in the area decide to stop by, Mr. Scarpetta said. The presidential visit makes the restaurant more memorable.

Why Bingham's? Its in-restaurant bakery is well known with a dedicated following of locals and those who summer in the area. Anyone entering confronts a case full of the heaping, creamy delights. After enjoying an omelet, a pie to go is hard to resist.

Many concluded Mr. Obama's guide on his way to Scranton last week, U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, recommended Bingham's to the president. To Mr. Scarpetta's knowledge, Mr. Casey hadn't patronized Bingham's. Someone in the presidential entourage said a plainclothes Secret Service advance team stopped in Bingham's a week earlier, directed there by the state tourism center.

Bingham's is the latest local business to host the nation's executive. Bill and Hillary Clinton have always been fond of Coopers Seafood House Restaurant and Pub in Scranton and its famous lobster bisque. President George W. Bush enjoyed Manning's Ice Cream. Vice President Joe Biden still visits childhood hangout Hanks Hoagies in Green Ridge.

At least once a week, an unfamiliar face comes into Hanks to see Vice President Joe Biden's old haunt, said Hanks owner Tom Owens. While Mr. Biden and his family moved away from Scranton when he was 10 and Hanks has changed ownership several times, Mr. Biden has made pilgrimages there when he visits friends in the Electric City. Those visits got higher profile as Mr. Biden became vice president. Hanks offers a hoagie called "The Joe Biden," a secret twist on an Italian hoagie "with a little something extra Joe likes," Mr. Owens said.

Last Friday, a large group gathered around Hanks, hoping the vice president (perhaps even the president) would stop by for a sandwich. Many even made a purchase, Mr. Owens said. A life-sized cardboard cutout of Mr. Biden overlooks the shop, delighting the political tourists.

Jean Manning of Manning's Farm Dairy thought back to the President George Bush's visit for a scoop of praline and cream ice cream in 2006. In the weeks following the visit, pralines and cream flew over the counter as the curious wanted to try the president's favorite flavor. Thanks to the visit, many discovered the long-time Clarks Summit creamery.

"No matter what your political party of whatever you believe, to have the head of state and leader of the free world at your business is absolutely remarkable and a great honor," she said.

Thrilled for Bingham's, she saw parallels between the locally-owned businesses with a quality product and strong following.

Bingham's plans to immortalize the presidential visit with a framed picture. Mr. Scarpetta said he'd even consider a presidential promotion like a discount for anyone who orders Obama's trio of pies. So far, the restaurant had no negative feedback about playing host. In retrospect, Mr. Scarpetta is surprised Mr. Obama made a stop in the decidedly "red" area.

But as presidential visits have shown, appetite knows no politics.

Contact the writer: dfalchek@timesshamrock.com

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